Cheney parks getting new play equipment

CHENEY – Three Cheney city parks should have $190,328 worth of new playground equipment next year.

The City Council on Tuesday OK’d a proposal by Paul Simmons, parks and recreation director, to get new playground equipment for Centennial, Sutton and Lower Salnave parks.

Simmons said the Parks Department must spend $205,752 by 2010 on upgrades for the parks. The funds should be replenished as development brings more taxpayers to Cheney.

Playground equipment is aging and some of it had to be removed or repaired in the wake of state audit that determined that some aspects of the parks weren’t safe for children.

Some equipment at Centennial Park is beginning to crack and chip. Simmons said the new equipment will be suitable for children to climb.

“For kids, the number-one form of play is climbing,” he said.

Simmons said the playground at Sutton Park is packed during the summer concert series. Some of the equipment there has been vandalized and some was removed for safety reasons.

At Lower Salnave, the equipment currently consists of a tot block, a slide and swings.

Simmons said that by ordering new playground equipment now, the department can save a little money in freight and construction.

The equipment should be shipped sometime in October and the old equipment will be removed in November. Simmons added that construction on the new equipment should begin as soon as the snow melts next spring.

“I think we’re all concerned about the safety for our children,” said mayor pro tem Curt Huff, who was filling in for Mayor Allan Gainer who was excused from Tuesday night’s meeting.

The council also heard the first reading of the ordinance that will establish the preliminary plat of the 136-lot Harvest Bluff development that is planned at the north side of the city at Betz and Murphy roads.

The council had some concerns about pedestrian safety, since children will be crossing Betz to get to school.

Bryan Jennings, director of community development, said that both the applicant and the city conducted traffic studies and both came to the conclusion that a traffic light would not be justifiable in that area. Jennings added that school district representatives have been at some of the planning commission meetings and have agreed that an adult crossing guard will be in position there.

Councilmember Doug Nixon was not convinced that it would be safe for children to cross that road because of the high speed traffic.

The development has some open park space and walking trails planned that will be open to the public during daylight hours.

Councilmember Tom Trulove was worried that since the homeowners’ association will be responsible for maintenance, the city might be liable if the association dropped the ball.

“I’m not entirely comfortable about this private park available to the public,” Trulove said. He wondered if the city should just assume the responsibility of maintaining the park space.

Nathan Smith, the city attorney said the city can only be liable if it owns the park.

The council decided to hear the first reading of the ordinance only and agreed to postpone further action about the plat until the next meeting, which will be held Oct. 14.